Beautiful Volunteer Park Conservatory Wedding Featuring Handcrafted Details
What if, instead of checking all the wedding traditions off the list, you focused on what mattered most? Abbigale and Brandon did just that at their Volunteer Park Conservatory wedding. Their celebration was deeply rooted in the loving community that surrounds them. These creative film wedding photos along with their Super 8 video give you a sense of how grounded and joyful their day was.
A Volunteer Park Conservatory Wedding
A Volunteer Park Conservatory wedding has a unique blend of historic architecture and gorgeous tropical plants. Lush tropical trees and vibrant flowers fill the Victorian-style greenhouse. At the same time, the venue’s minimalist approach to ceremonies means your wedding will feel intimate and modern.
As far as Seattle wedding venues go, Volunteer Park Conservatory is a bargain. Ceremony fees start at $170 per hour for a minimum of two hours. You can reserve your date via the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation. The greenhouse where ceremonies take place has a capacity of 25 guests, so it’s best for small weddings.
If you’re thinking about having a Volunteer Park Conservatory wedding, you should consider these guidelines.
The only setup allowed includes 18 chairs provided by the venue. You have to let the greenhouse do all the aesthetic work.
Ceremonies have to be held after 4:15pm.
Wedding ceremonies and photoshoots are only allowed September through December. For spring and summer weddings, you’ll have to look elsewhere.
Film Photography and Super 8 Video for Abbigale and Brandon
Instead of doing the same old thing for their Volunteer Park Conservatory wedding, Abbigale and Brandon put their own take on their ceremony. First, Brandon and Abbigale walked down the aisle together. They felt they were entering the marriage together and wanted to do the same for the ceremony.
Brandon’s aunt Jeri Lou officiated the ceremony. Leading up to the wedding, Aunt JJ met with Brandon, Abbigale, and various family members. Brandon and Abbigale loved that their families’ words would form the heart of their ceremony. “We came from the love before us,” Abbigale told me.
That emphasis on authenticity, family, and legacy made film photography and Super 8 video perfect mediums for documenting this Volunteer Park Conservatory wedding. Film and Super 8 strip away the distractions of complicated editing and productions. Instead you get the unfiltered reality of your experience preserved.
Super 8, especially, gives you the best mix of home movie vibes and artistry. The warmth and texture in Abbigale and Brandon’s video takes you right into the moment. It feels modern in its minimalism but timeless in its tones and movement. This video makes it easy to see how Abbigale and Brandon’s relationship fits into that lineage of love Abbigale described.
Are you new to Super 8 wedding videography? Check out these blog posts to learn more:
Custom, Community-Crafted Wedding Details
Abbigale and Brandon surround themselves with the coolest community of professional creatives. Friends and family contributed a lot of handcrafted details for their Volunteer Park Conservatory wedding. Loved ones crafted the cake, cake stand, cookies, and bridal bouquet. Friends also designed the posters and matchbooks at the reception.
After their Volunteer Park Conservatory wedding ceremony, Abbigale and Brandon brought their guests to The Sunset Tavern. This bar is a total hole in the wall fisherman shanty of a bar. I mean that in the best way! It had the perfect approachable, down to earth atmosphere for Abbigale and Brandon’s celebration.
For the reception, Abbigale and Brandon told me that they just wanted to get silly and have fun! They, along with their friends and family, go hard for karaoke. Of course, they had to sing some favorites during their reception!
Everyone hit the dance floor hard. I had a blast documenting everyone in their element. Before the wedding, Abbigale told me, “Grandma does slap the floor so be ready.” I can confirm that grandma did slap on the dance floor!
Are you interested in having me photograph your wedding? I’m a Seattle wedding photographer specializing in film photography and Super 8 videography. I’ll document your unique celebration with art that imitates life. Inquire with me here!
Thank you to the vendors who made Abbigale and Brandon’s wedding so rad!
Photography and Videography: Sara Welch Photography
Venue: Volunteer Park Conservatory
Florals: Jordan Braun
Cake: Boy Howdy Bakeshop
Cookies: Yoka Miso
DJ: Josh Harka
Hair and Makeup Artist: Drew June Style
Dress: Kamparett
Bride’s ring: Zoe Chicco
Catering: Big Mario's Pizza
Matchbooks: Designed on For Your Party
Audio Guestbook: FeteFone
Cake Stand: Handmade by our bestie Samantha Barber
Posters: Designed by Jared Pabon